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British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) reaction to counter-demonstrations organised by moderate Muslims in Luton

02/06/2009

British Muslims for Secular Democracy welcomes news of the demonstrations organised by local Muslims in Luton on 29th May 2009, as a response to the activities of extremist Muslim fringe groups in their city.

The media reporting of Luton's Muslims descending on the extremists' stalls in the Bury Park area brandishing English flags while telling them they were "sick and tired" of their behaviour and chanting "out, out, out" should be a clear enough signal to these extremists that ordinary, law-abiding proud-to-be-British Muslims do not associate themselves with those who foster hatred and divisiveness amongst British communities, nor do they agree with their ideology.  

bmsd supports the robust actions of these British Muslims, who are caught between extremist groups on one hand - who quite recently chose to insult the homecoming British soldiers, instead of engaging in constructive dialogue about the Iraq war and communicating their opposition to British foreign policy directly to the Government - and far-right political parties on the other, who misrepresent the actions of a small minority for their own political expediency.

Dr Shaaz Mahboob of bmsd said "The extremist elements within our society should understand that the vast majority of British Muslims are patriotic, law abiding and democratic in their approach towards dealing with everyday issues and those of national importance. Any attempts to create divisions between members of the British Muslim and non-Muslim communities in pursuit of twisted ideologies or political gains will be met with fierce resistance by the British public to ensure that they will fail."

 

 

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Notes to the editors:  

  1. bmsd is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.  
  2. bmsd’s mission statement:   “To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain.”   
  3. bmsd claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. bmsd founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.  
  4. For details please visit http://www.bmsd.org.uk  
  5. For any further queries, please contact:  Dr Shaaz Mahboob on  shaaz@bmsd.org.uk or 07961365751 or Tehmina Kazi on 0207 631 4175